Littelfuse forecasts 4Q loss, sales shortfall

DES PLAINES, Ill. 
Littelfuse Inc., which makes circuit protection products, said Friday it expects fourth-quarter sales to fall well below the third quarter's levels, and the company now expects to post a net loss for the quarter.

The company expects revenue to decline 25 percent to 29 percent from third-quarter sales of $141.4 million.

Analysts, on average, are predicting sales of $119.9 million, a 15 percent decline, according to a poll by Thomson Reuters.

Littelfuse also forecast a net loss of 15 cents to 25 cents per share, including restructuring charges of about 10 cents per share.

Analysts, who generally exclude items from their estimates, expect a profit of 9 cents per share.